The Hanbali school of thought is one of the four major Sunni Islamic legal schools, founded by the scholar Ahmad ibn Hanbal in the 9th century. It emphasizes a strict adherence to the Qur'an and Hadith, prioritizing these texts over personal opinion or analogy in legal matters. Hanbali jurisprudence is known for its conservative approach and is particularly influential in Saudi Arabia. It has a smaller following compared to other schools, but its principles are significant in shaping Islamic law and practice in regions where it is predominant.